King of Shaveshttp://www.shave.com
Advanced Razors, Blades, Shaving & SkincareWed, 21 Feb 2018 15:00:17 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.4The History of King of Shaveshttp://www.shave.com/news-from-king-of-shaves/the-history-of-king-of-shaves-25-years-of-shaving-success/
Tue, 06 Feb 2018 15:50:11 +0000http://www.shave.com/?p=645661Hang out the bunting, start planning the street party. Everyone loves a right royal knees-up – and 2018 marks the Silver Jubilee of King of Shaves. It was in 1993 that the original King, Will King, launched the business by getting our name on the shelves of Harrods and Boots [...]

As Will tells the story:“I used to suffer from shaving rash and razor burn but couldn’t find a product to solve my problems. I suspected a lot of guys suffered in the same way, so I decided to solve the problem myself and develop a range of products to give a smooth, close and burn-free shave.”

Some things have changed since then. In the last 25 years, King of Shaves has grown into a leading UK brand which appears on the shelves of well-known High Street stores such as Asda, Boots, Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Superdrug, Tesco and Waitrose. You’ll also find us online as well as in the USA, Australia and New Zealand.

However some things haven’t changed a bit. King of Shaves is still all about innovation, about always looking for the next idea that will help you to manage your facial hair – in fact, your hair anywhere.

We’ve never lost sight of the fact that in our eyes, shaving isn’t a chore. It should be an enjoyable experience, and part of the enjoyment should come from doing it right.

So we’ve never stopped innovating. Three years after we entered the market, King of Shaves launched a bespoke men’s skincare range and the revolutionary low-foam Shaving Gel.

Hardly a year since has passed without King of Shaves bolstering its reputation as a brand at the cutting edge of the shaving experience by adding to the products it brings to the market.

Making predictions is a hazardous business, but we reckon it’s a safe bet that in future King of Shaves will continue to innovate and to find ways to help you shave, style and maintain your facial hair.

And we’re pretty sure that in 25 years’ time we’ll still be here to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the business.

]]>Seeing is Believinghttp://www.shave.com/news-from-king-of-shaves/seeing-is-believing/
Tue, 23 Jan 2018 17:26:08 +0000http://www.shave.com/?p=643746We all know what shaving looks like. There’s a bloke, razor poised, and the lower half of his face is covered in a dense white lather. That’s what shaving has looked like for ever. Well, at least since 3,000 BC, when the first shaving cream was invented. And yet if [...]

We all know what shaving looks like. There’s a bloke, razor poised, and the lower half of his face is covered in a dense white lather.

That’s what shaving has looked like for ever. Well, at least since 3,000 BC, when the first shaving cream was invented.

And yet if you stop for a moment and think about it, there’s something quite illogical about this.

You wouldn’t go down into a dark cellar to search for something without switching the light on.

You wouldn’t choose to chop vegetables with your eyes shut.

You wouldn’t drive off at night without using your headlights.

You wouldn’t do any of those things, for the simple reason that seeing what you are doing is important.

You should have absolute confidence in your next step, a certainty that your actions are effective and will not lead to confusion or disaster.

That is one of the reasons why we at King of Shaves have broken with tradition and delivered low-foam shave gels that mean you can see your face while you are shaving it.

A-ha, say the traditionalists. But when it comes to shaving, you need the white stuff because when it’s gone, you know when you have shaved that part of your face.

Except, we reply, how many men really do shave each part of their face only once? Everybody we know goes over every area at least one more time so they can be absolutely sure they are treating themselves to the smoothest shave possible.

In which case, being able to see the area you are about to shave makes a lot more sense than spotting it only after the blade has passed over it.

When you drive you glance in the rear-view mirror every now and then, but most of the time you are looking through the windscreen. A close shave follows the same principle.

Our shave oils, gels and serums are all formulated to give you an amazingly close, comfortable and enjoyable shave – as well as one that is completely visible.

As we always say, we believe that shaving is an activity that needs to be done well. It should be more than a chore, it should be an experience you look forward to and savour.

We also believe it’s an activity you should be able to view clearly at every stage. Seeing really is believing.

]]>Eco-Friendly Shavinghttp://www.shave.com/news-from-king-of-shaves/eco-friendly-shaving-green-light-for-our-king-of-shaves-packaging/
Fri, 05 Jan 2018 17:47:29 +0000http://www.shave.com/?p=641694You may have noticed that here at King of Shaves, we are not shy about telling the world how good we are at what we do. We’ll gladly wax lyrical all day about the excellence of our range of shaving oils, gels, serums, skincare and beard products. But we’re also [...]

But we’re also pretty proud of the fact that our packaging does much less harm to the environment than that of traditional manufacturers.

At King of Shaves, we’re pleased to say we support eco shaving with our environmentally-friendly packaging.

Shaving foam or gel is usually delivered in a pressurised aluminium or steel can that also features a plastic valve and overcap.

And, of course, hydrocarbon gases or compressed air are present whenever you have a pressurised delivery device.

That’s an awfully big burden to place on the environment with a lot of resources being used to produce something that lasts 30 or 40 shaves and is difficult to recycle – if it is lucky enough to make it to a recycling centre.

All of our products are packaged in plastic rather than metal. And the containers they come in are not pressurised, taking us one step closer to eco-friendly shaving.

That means we are having dramatically less impact on the environment and are consuming considerably fewer resources in manufacture.

Our packaging is all made of plastic, which means it is much more easily recyclable.

And we encourage all of our customers to ensure they dispose of that packaging in a responsible manner. From your shaving gel, to your beard oil, to your King of Shaves serum – it can all be recycled.

Perhaps you have seen the extraordinary figures about the effect of discarded plastic on our oceans.

So, while King of Shaves is really pleased to have more eco-friendly packaging that does less harm to the environment to produce, we are also asking that you dispose of it in the right way, where it can be recycled.

We’re proud of being different at King Of Shaves.

We think our products are very special. We always say that seeing is believing when it comes to shaving with our low-foaming gels, oils and serums.

And we think it is great that, with the help of our customers, we are doing our own bit to ensure the health of the planet for future generations.

Help us support eco-friendly shaving today and join our kingdom at King of Shaves.

]]>King of Shaves Supporting the RAF Fire Service in the Falklandshttp://www.shave.com/news-from-king-of-shaves/products/king-of-shaves-supporting-the-raf-in-the-falklands/
Fri, 22 Dec 2017 13:04:55 +0000http://www.shave.com/?p=640045Thought we would share this fabulous message from the Royal Air Force Fire Service based in the Falklands, after we sent them a box of King of Shaves shaving goodies to help provide some Christmas cheer. Just a quick message to say we received the products in the mail today and [...]

Thought we would share this fabulous message from the Royal Air Force Fire Service based in the Falklands, after we sent them a box of King of Shaves shaving goodies to help provide some Christmas cheer.

Just a quick message to say we received the products in the mail today and to say thank you very much again for such a kind gesture. Myself and the guys really appreciate it and it has lifted the morale of the lads no end. I have attached a picture of us outside the fire section with our gifts.

Have a lovely Christmas and a happy new year to you and everyone at your company.

Kindest Regards

Johnnie and all of Green Watch

So spare a thought for ‘our boys’ who are there for four months away from their loved ones over Christmas and we wish them a safe deployment.

King of Shaves says:
At this moment in time, this is the one of the best (and far-flung) locations that we have received a picture from showing off our shaving products. If you think you can do better, email your photo to us at wecare@shave.com and we will pick a winner at the end of January 2018. There are some fabulous shaving goodies up for grabs!

]]>10% of sales to Crisis this Christmas…http://www.shave.com/news-from-king-of-shaves/10-of-sales-to-crisis-this-christmas/
Fri, 01 Dec 2017 08:30:17 +0000http://www.shave.com/?p=639551Help us to give more people a merry Christmas… For many of us, Christmas is a very enjoyable time of the year. We spend time with our family and friends. We eat and drink a bit too much and exchange gifts, that in some cases we don’t really want. All [...]

We spend time with our family and friends. We eat and drink a bit too much and exchange gifts, that in some cases we don’t really want. All followed by the Queen’s Speech and another viewing of It’s a Wonderful Life.

And, of course, there is nothing wrong with any of that!

However, we know there are many less fortunate people in the UK who will have little chance of making merry this Christmas.

So we are donating 10%* of our December sales from shave.com to the homeless housing charity Crisis.

Thank you for helping us to help them.

If you would like to donate to this very worthy cause yourself please click the Crisis logo below.

All of us at King Of Shaves wish you and yours a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy 2018.

* The King of Shaves Company Ltd will donate 10% of our December 2017 shave.com sales (net of VAT) to the homeless charity Crisis.

]]>Three steps to a great shave…http://www.shave.com/news-from-king-of-shaves/three-steps-to-a-great-shave/
Thu, 16 Nov 2017 14:27:37 +0000http://www.shave.com/?p=634336There are just three steps to a great shave, and it will take just two minutes to read them and your reward will be one smooth and irritation-free face… Step 1: Before Whether you are male or female and wherever you are shaving, the general principals are the same – [...]

There are just three steps to a great shave, and it will take just two minutes to read them and your reward will be one smooth and irritation-free face…

Step 1: Before

Whether you are male or female and wherever you are shaving, the general principals are the same – so let’s get started.

Forget everything you know
Lots of lather and foam does not equal a great shave. It sits on top your skin and does nothing to create that all-important layer between skin and razor blade.

We recommend you choose a quality shaving gel, oil or serum and not a soap-based foam that will dry out your skin.

The number of blades on your razor doesn’t really matter either. It’s more important that they are clean, sharp and of a decent quality.

Don’t shave as soon as you get up
Have breakfast first. Give your skin a chance to wake up!

Invest a little time preparing your skin
Don’t use ordinary soap because it is usually very drying on the skin and, coupled with shaving, will make your skin tight and uncomfortable.

To cleanse your skin effectively and kindly, use a deep cleansing soap-free face wash and / or scrub. Thoroughly rinse off with warm water.

All this preparation will help soften and lift your bristles ready for shaving.

Step 2: During

Shave in the shower, bath or as soon as you get out of either
Dry stubble can have the same tensile strength as copper wire, so the hot, steamy environment of a shower or bath will soften and prepare your bristles.

It takes three or four minutes for stubble to “wet out” properly, making it much easier to shave.

If you prefer the old water-in-a-sink method, wash your face first with plenty of hot water to ensure your facial hair is really soft.

Read the instructions on your preferred shave gel, oil or serum. These products are slightly different and work best if you use them as suggested.

Spend a little time massaging in your chosen shaving product – this will further soften and lift your bristles.

Ensure you have a clean, sharp blade and shave using short strokes
It’s key to shave in the direction of your hairs’ growth. Shaving against the grain is the primary cause of razor burn, redness and rashes.

On your face, this is down your cheeks and chin and upwards on your neck. If you are at all unsure, run your finger across your stubble to see which direction the hair is growing.

Rinse the blade regularly
Rinse the blade thoroughly and frequently as you shave, don’t press too hard against your skin and let the blades do the work.

It is essential to rinse to keep the blade clean and prevent clogging.

Step 3: After

Rinse thoroughly
When you have finished shaving, rinse with cool water and pat dry. If using a King of Shaves Shaving Oil, you can just pat your face dry.

Apply a moisturising productProtect your skin with a moisturiser or face balm. This will leave your skin feeling smooth, supple and soft – not tight and dry. For maximum effectiveness, apply within five minutes of shaving.

]]>Proper pre-shave preparation needs more than just a splash of waterhttp://www.shave.com/news-from-king-of-shaves/proper-pre-shave-preparation-needs-more-than-just-a-splash-of-water/
Thu, 28 Sep 2017 15:35:48 +0000http://www.shave.com/?p=625558“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success” Alexander Graham Bell (the Scottish chap who invented the telephone, amongst others things) “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail” Benjamin Franklin (one of the founding fathers of the United States) These sentiments hold true for many things in [...]

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail”
Benjamin Franklin (one of the founding fathers of the United States)

These sentiments hold true for many things in life. However if we are honest I expect we would all concede there’s been many times when we haven’t found (or perhaps more honestly “made”) the time to prepare properly.

WHY BOTHER WITH PREPARATION?

Often preparation can seem dull, boring and all too time consuming. Perhaps not even worth the effort for the better result. How many of us when in DIY mode have bought sugar soap with great intentions of washing the walls down before filling, then sanding, then dusting them, only to end up steaming straight into the tub of emulsion paint in a vain attempt to get it all over and done with as quickly as possible? And the result is simply not as good as it could have been if we had taken our time.

As with DIY, as a small investment in preparation can reap some big and sometimes unexpected benefits when you shave.

Back in our more hirsute days (when we just stopping swinging around in trees), to help protect us from the elements mother nature ensured we kept our hair nicely waterproofed with sebum. Unfortunately evolution is yet to catch up with us, so we still have waterproof stubble.

Now you probably know that wet stubble is much easier for a razor to cut, but to get the best shave you need to spend a little more time preparing your stubble than just giving it a quick splash of warm water.

OUTWITTING NATURE

To allow water to soak into the bristles (making them so much easier to cut) you need to remove the waterproof coating (the previously mentioned sebum) from your beard first. Any wash-type product such as face wash, shower gel, even a shave gel, shampoo or soap (does anyone still use soap?) will do this, but to speed up the water absorption into your bristles it’s best to use a scrub.

Closed (left) and open (right) hair cuticles

A scrub will the open the cuticles on the bristle which lets the water in to the hair shaft much faster. A scrub will also clear away a lot of the old dry skin and dirt from the skin; this means there’s a lot less to clog up the razor. So the blades will sit closer to the surface of the skin cutting the hair shaft as short as possible.

Applying a scrub in a circular motion across the entire beard will also lift the bristles up and away from the skin, which again helps ensure a closer shave with less missed hairs and reduced need for repeated strokes. It also helps stop ingrown hairs and clears out any blocked pores.

A face wash will help prepare your stubble, however for the best results we recommend a scrub formulated for daily use.

Then you just need to rinse the face scrub from your skin and you are ready to apply your favourite shave prep be that a gel, oil, cream, serum or even a foam(!) to your still wet face.

THE BENEFITS

This simple and effective pre-shave preparation routine should not take more than a minute, however it will repay you in spades as…

Your razor will feel like a hot knife through butter on your stubble.

You’ll not get unpleasant tug or pull.

You’ll get a closer shave and one with less passes (repeat strokes).

Your blades will last longer (softer bristles wear them out slower than hard bristles).

Much lower chance of ingrown hairs.

Your skin will look brighter

The longer your stubble, the bigger the potential benefit, so for less regular shavers a good pre-shave scrub is a must.

Simply put, decent pre shave preparation will get you a closer and more comfortable shave, for not a lot of extra effort.

]]>Waste not, want not and the rise of the smart shopperhttp://www.shave.com/news-from-king-of-shaves/waste-not-want-not/
Thu, 14 Sep 2017 14:24:15 +0000http://www.shave.com/?p=621988Since the banking crisis of 2008 a lot has changed about the way we shop and how we perceive value. As a result we’ve arguably all become much more savvy / smart shoppers, always looking for the best value for money (VFM), which to most of us this is a [...]

Since the banking crisis of 2008 a lot has changed about the way we shop and how we perceive value. As a result we’ve arguably all become much more savvy / smart shoppers, always looking for the best value for money (VFM), which to most of us this is a blend of quality, service and price.

Most of us have also learnt (often the hard way) that price alone is not always the best indicator of value. Just because something is expensive it doesn’t always mean that the quality matches the price tag and, of course, cheap can sometimes, be just that, cheap!

Here at King of Shaves we know we’re not the cheapest products you can buy however we are confident we rank right up there in terms of value for money.

Less can be more

Whilst using too big a blob of product is great for manufacturers and brands in terms of product consumption, it is actually wasteful and that’s not so good for the consumer’s purse or for the environment.

How much of any product you choose to use is entirely up to you, but often we find people tend to use more than they need and that sometimes using too much product can reduce the quality of the experience, as well as impacting on VFM. For example our Shaving Oils definitely fall in the category of “less is more”!

Why do we love tubes?

Regardless of how much you choose to use each time, we think it’s important to ensure you can use every last drop of product and that the packaging allows you to do this whilst not costing the earth (in all its meanings).

That’s why King of Shaves love the simplicity of tubes. Due to their minimal weight and use of materials they are about as good as it gets for shaving gels and creams – a lot better than cans that’s for sure! Plus let’s not forget that gravity is free, so standing tubes on their caps means the product has the best chance of being at the right end of the pack… so where you need it.

Even with the free benefit of gravity, a small amount of product can end-up sticking to the inside of the tube (though we tend to overfill to offset this). A simple centrifuge would sort that out though most of us don’t have one of those lying around at home! You could create a DIY version by sticking the tube into a carrier bag and spinning it rapidly around above your head (it does actually work)…

Watch our video and use all your product

However, we think the best solution is to watch our short top tip ‘life hack’ video and learn how by simply taking the top off a tube you can ensure you don’t waste a drop of product and thus you get the very best value for money.

Years ago when I was a student a fellow house-mate first showed me this simple trick on a toothpaste tube and I’ve been doing it ever since. Today some of my friends laugh and say it’s just being tight, however to me it’s actually (like a thrifty approach to many things) more about being smart!

Pennies and pounds and all that.

Tell us about your ‘life hacks’

If you have a simple trick or thrifty ‘life hack’ then please share it with us by sending us a message, a tweet or by posting it on our Facebook page.

]]>Why should you use a moisturiser after shaving? Let alone one with an SPF…http://www.shave.com/news-from-king-of-shaves/why-should-you-use-a-moisturiser-after-shaving/
Wed, 23 Aug 2017 15:38:11 +0000http://www.shave.com/?p=615390Shaving removes more than hair… When you shave, as well as removing stubble, the razor blades also remove some thin layers of old and dead skin from what is called the stratum corneum, which is the top part of skin you can see. This is not a particularly bad thing [...]

Shaving removes more than hair… When you shave, as well as removing stubble, the razor blades also remove some thin layers of old and dead skin from what is called the stratum corneum, which is the top part of skin you can see.

Anatomy of the Epidermis (click to enlarge)

This is not a particularly bad thing as our skin is designed to continually shed itself to reveal newer skin underneath, so in time it recovers it’s thickness (although this process slows down as we age).

However, the multiple layers of the stratum corneum are there to provide a protective barrier for the skin against UV rays from the sun, toxins, pollutants and bacteria, as well as helping the skin retain moisture so it stays soft and flexible, not dry and flaky.

When the thickness of the stratum corneum is reduced, its efficacy as a protective barrier is also temporarily reduced, making the skin much more vulnerable to UV damage, pollutants and bacteria and less able to retain moisture.

Moisturise to help your skin recover

By using a moisturiser or balm with an SPF after you have shaved, you provide the extra protection your skin is missing whilst it naturally starts its recovery process. The SPF provides the UV protection and the moisturiser or balm provides a temporary occlusive (impenetrable) layer on the skin that helps the skin retain its moisture (so helping prevent it from becoming dry, flaky or itchy) and it also acts as an important barrier against bacteria and pollutants.

Also applying a moisturiser or balm post shave is the best way to ensure the actives in the formulation can penetrate the skin, as the removal of the old and dead skin allows these active ingredients to penetrate the dermis (deeper in the skin under the stratum corneum) where they can add the most value.

Even on a cloudy day in the UK your skin is exposed to UV and this is one of the main causes of premature skin ageing, so giving it added protection should help you mature more like a fine wine!

]]>Shave Gel vs Foamhttp://www.shave.com/news-from-king-of-shaves/shave-gel-vrs-foam/
Fri, 02 Jun 2017 14:26:37 +0000http://www.shave.com/?p=591040See clearly – how window washing has influenced your shave routine* I have to confess I have a strange fascination watching a professional window cleaner tackle large glass panes. A sense of calm descends as the dirty glass is methodically covered in soapy water. It is oddly gratifying watching the [...]

See clearly – how window washing has influenced your shave routine*

I have to confess I have a strange fascination watching a professional window cleaner tackle large glass panes. A sense of calm descends as the dirty glass is methodically covered in soapy water. It is oddly gratifying watching the squeegee cut through the foam transforming the glass from grimy to sparkling clean.

What has washing windows got to do with shaving?

If you are a canned shave foam or gel user, that same sense of satisfaction of cutting through the lofty foam with your razor, has probably shaped your male grooming routine, but not always for the better.

The professional window clear needs to create a lather to clean the dirt from perfectly smooth surface of windows. When using shaving gel, we would argue a lot of (hot) air or large bubbles is the last thing you need when dragging a razor across a bumpy landscape such as the stubble on your face (or other body parts!)

Seeing Clearly

Being able to keep track of which areas the razor has covered plays a huge part as to why some men prefer a foamy lather when shaving. Like watching the professional window cleaner slice through the soapy lather with the squeegee, we admit, it is satisfying to see the razor blade cut through foam. We understand long standing shaving habits can be difficult to break.

What does Shave Gel do?

All the extra bubbles and foam that a lofty shaving cream lather creates is simply money down the drain. A frothy habit should not stop you from getting a better, smoother shave so that’s why we created our range of low foam Shave Gels. Did you know the bit of you shaving cream that is actually doing all the work is the ultra-thin layer of product between the shaving blade and skin? So save the bubbles for your face wash and, just like driving a car, make sure you can see where you are going when you shave.

How does Shave Gel work?

Our Shave Gels create a thin lubricating layer between your razor blade and your skin. This helps the razor blade glide over your face allowing it to cut your stubble to the best of its ability whilst helping to protect your skin from unwanted rash and irritation. And unlike traditional soap based shave foams, King of Shaves Shave Gels are all moisturising so they won’t leave your skin feeling dry and tight afterwards.

When to use Shave Gel?

Our Shave Gels are the perfect hybrid of ‘seeing clearly’ while enhancing razor glide for a smooth comfortable shave without the need for excessive froth and nonsense. For time-pressed folk or those allergic to bathroom clutter, our low foam range of Shave Gels also double up as a face wash or shampoo for full beard care too.